Yuki Mozota | Markins Ball Head

When I was a student planning to become a movie cameraman, I borrowed a camera from my mentor, cinematographer Kozo Okazaki, and that's what got me started. When he gave me advice on a photo I took on set, I realized how amazing it is to be able to convey what you see and feel from just one photo, and how a single shot of a scene in a movie always leaves a clearer impression than the story itself, and before I knew it, I was fascinated by the world of photography.

Currently, as a photographer, I shoot snapshots. When I was a student, I used a tripod 95% of the time for film production, but now it may be the opposite. However, when I need to use a tripod in a crucial situation, I need one that suits my style without stress.

Until now, I have been using a Velbon tripod with a Japanese-made ball head for many years, but I was looking for a ball head that can be used with a plate that can be changed more smartly between horizontal and vertical positions.

The key points to consider when choosing a head are that it is easy to use, the base and camera do not come loose, allowing for stable shooting, lightweight and compact, and if possible, stylish.

I happened to have the opportunity to meet landscape photographer Yoshiaki Kobayashi, and I got to touch the Markins head. In a word, I was surprised. Of course, you choose a head to match the type of equipment you use, but this one looked small, or rather, it seemed too small...

I combined the camera plate and sub-plate for the Nikon D850 to make an L-shape and attached it to the body. When I sandwiched the groove of this plate, which is compatible with Arca Swiss, into the quick shoe of the free-angle head, it fit perfectly. I remembered that other manufacturers' quick shoes had loosened and been difficult to use in the past, and I felt a sense of security that this would be fine.

The LCD monitor was also easy to move and had no effect. When I finally attached the camera to the head, I noticed the Φ center mark. This was convenient because it allowed me to place the camera in the center of the tripod by aligning it with this index.

Even when changing to a vertical position, if you align it with this mark, you can shoot in the same position without changing the optical axis. It seemed like it would be useful when taking comparison photos.

Also, since there is no grease on the ball, it seems that you can still use it with the same freedom to change the angle even if you are shooting for a long time in cold areas.

The biggest factor in deciding on the Markins head this time was the knob for fixing the equipment. Anyone who has used a tripod will have the idea in mind that you need to tighten the knob firmly to fix the camera! But with this head, there is no need to do that at all.

The correct way to use it is to tighten it so lightly that you wonder if it is okay to tighten it so lightly. It is really easy not to have to tighten it with a lot of force.

It is especially recommended for people who do not have much strength or who feel a burden when putting force on their joints or fingertips. In fact, when I take pictures, I feel like I can change the composition quickly and with more agility thanks to the light knob tightening and the smooth operation of changing the vertical and horizontal positions using the center mark as an index.

I've finally found a head that suits me. The color is a beautiful blue. I think I'll be taking more pictures with this combination tripod and Markins ball head in the future.